November is Epilepsy Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 out of every 26 Americans have Epilepsy?  Our gorgeous 22 year old daughter was diagnosed when she was 15.  What a struggle we have been through to find the right doctors and the right medications for her, but thankfully, she is now on a medication that is working and has been seizure free for 3 years.  Did you know that 30% of all people with Epilepsy don't have a medication that works for them?  You can visit www.talkaboutit.org to find out more information about Epilepsy.  If 3 million people in the US are suffering with epilepsy, shouldn't we all talk about it and educate ourselves.

Living Room Tour...

 

The "BEFORE" pictures of our Living Room

 

We couldn't move into our house until we had the carpet replaced.  We were told by the realtor that the prior owners had left a dog in the house for a few weeks while they moved out.  Don't know if that is true or not, but something had been left in the house.  The living room wasn't as bad as some of the other rooms, but a hammer had been taken to the top of the hearth and there were lots of holes in the walls.

 

One thing that selling the old house taught me is that I live better in color.  I think everyone is different, but I definitely need color.  This is the living room after we added new carpet, painted, and decorated.  We used lots of Longaberger wrought iron and spice market fabric (throws, pillows).  The burnt red couches, clock and burlap prints are from Pier1, the glass lamps from Hobby Lobby, and the gold buffalo plaid pillows and fabric are from Country Curtains.

Surprisingly the bookcases are actually from Target - people are always amazed by that.  I think it's so funny! You probably can't see them very well but on the top mixed in with the old jugs and Longaberger baskets are two hats - one is my grandpa's coal mine hat and the other is my dh's grandfather's state construction hardhat.  We wanted to use things in our home that represented the people we love.

My amazing Uncle built and upholstered the round ottoman for me and a talented seamstress in our town covered the cornices that my husband built.

Thanks for taking a peek at our updated living room!  Still working on the rest but will post more here soon.

 

Our Home Redone...

A year ago we bought this home...This is what it looked like about 3 months ago - that's after I trimmed all the bushes, painted the shutters, trim, and door, replaced the roof, mulched everything (except the ivy circle I was trying to kill).  I can't find the picture of it when we first moved in - and I think it's safe to say that it looks a lot different.  The house had been reprocessed and I don't think the prior owners were thrilled.  They left all four toilet seats broken, holes in the walls, took a hammer to the fireplace, ripped out shelves, rips in the linoleum, broken appliances, and to beat it all - they left a dog in the house for what we've been told was a couple of weeks.  Talk about disgusting!  All the flooring had to be removed immediately, we've purchased 42 gallons of paint, and replaced a TON of other stuff inside.  Over the next few weeks I will try posting some of befores and afters.  It has been a true journey - at times a struggle - but it's become our home and we are loving that. 

Life at our house...

I was told yesterday that I needed to update my blog, so here goes.  We moved into the house at Oxford Hill and well, let's just say, it's keeping us busy.  We have now had all 4300 sq. ft. of flooring replace with a variety of carpet, hard wood, vinyl, and laminates.  We have also cracked open 41 - yes 41 - gallons of paint.  We are still on the inside and still have to paint the outside.  So much work completed and yet so much more to do!  New countertops were put in last week as well as shelving for the pantry and laundry.  It is a work in progress!  I'll post pictures of before and after later.

The girls went back to school Monday - so different to have my house quiet again during the day.  I am trying to be a good steward of my time and work on projects in the house before they get home in the afternoons.  I still love sitting down with them to listen all about their days and don't want to be so consumed with this house that I miss that time with my girls. 

Hannah & I went last week to visit my parents in Berea, KY and then to my father-in-law's home in Borden, IN.  We had a nice time with both but I have to admit being at my father-in-law's stresses me out a bit.  Don't get me wrong, I love him dearly and enjoy the time with him.  I just worry so much about him, his health, and his being alone.  So wish he would just come live with us, but as of right now, he's not willing to give up his independence.  Unfortunately, I think they time may come soon when he won't have a choice.  I've been home for several days and have already had multiple calls from him regarding his next appointments and it looks like Monday I will traveling the four hours back to take care of more healthcare appointments with him.  So, I have a few more days to be here at home working on this new home so I better get busy...have a great day everyone!

Big Changes Ahead

We listed our home of six years (longest we've ever lived anywhere!) in January and in March we sold it!!!  After alot of phone calls, bids, tears, and prayers, we finally have a contract on another house on Oxford Hill.  It's a gorgeous home (at least the bones are!).  It's a foreclosure and the last inhabitors didn't leave it in the best condition.  We will be putting a lot of "LOVE" (aka elbow grease and many trips to Home Depot) into this home, but feel sure that when we have it completed, it will serve nicely as our "forever home" - or at least our "forever home in Illinois".  I will be posting pictures soon of all the befores, durings, and afters.  We really have a huge job on our hands but one we are looking forward to.  This home will give us the space we need for two college age daughters, one will get the huge room she wanted, the other will get her own art studio.  It also gives us the space if Grampy wants to come live with us.  We will be packing up our current home on May 7-9 and closing on it May 11th.  We are currently scheduled to close on Oxford Hill on May 25 but are hopeful that we can move that date up.  Wish us luck - big adventures ahead!

Neat Blog for Scrapbookers...

I found a neat scrapbook store online last week and have already signed up for their monthly kit. For all my scrapbooking friends, you might want to check them out...

http://www.scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com/

I'm hoping to make a trip to Springfield, MO this spring to check their store as well as Elsie Flannigan's out. Anyone up for a road trip???

Time for changes...

Well, I have managed to clean every room on the first and second floors as well as every closet on those two floors. We got all the Christmas decorations put away and have listed the house with a realtor. We are hoping and praying that this will help us sell this home faster and move onto a home that fits us now. We have worked so hard on this house, but when we bought it, it was our "just for 3 years" home and we had different priorities then. Now that Stephen has retired from the AF and the girls are grown and away at college, it would be nice to have a home with the master suite on the first floor and a more open layout. That is what we are working towards! This past year has been filled with sooooo many changes for our family, but here's hoping for one more~